Wind power generator and control therefore

ABSTRACT

A wind powered generator for generating electrical energy comprising a generator which has no slip rings between its field and armature, and which when mounted on a tower is controlled through suitable control mechanism to adjust the power output to a level compatible with the load and storage equipment, as well as the existing wind conditions. The control apparatus will prevent overloads and will provide for efficient utilization of available wind. The controls operate mechanism to vary the angle of interceptance of the propeller with the wind. The device is made to be relatively maintenance free and capable of unattended generation of electricity over extended periods of time.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to wind powered electrical generators, andmountings and control systems therefore.

2. Prior Art

Various wind powered mechanisms have been utilized for years, includingwater pumping and also DC generators that were widely used on farmsteadlighting plants in the past. With petroleum based energy becoming moreand more expensive, and also with the concentration of interest inminimizing the pollution of air during power generation, the advent ofsupplemental, or even primary electrical power to be provided bywindmills has become more feasible economically, as well as moredesirable from the pollution reduction standpoint.

A paper entitled "Wind Power" authored by Charles D. Syverson, theinventor herein, and John G. Symons, Jr. was published in 1974 andrelated to parameters and technical information concerning the provisionof electrical power through wind generators. The booklet was distributedby the authors operating under the name "Wind Power", Box 233, Mankato,Minnesota 56001.

The problems associated with wind generated electrical power primarilyrelate to the need for maintenance and control. The propellers thatdrive the rotating components must be capable of operating in a widerange of wind speeds, and also must be designed or controlled in somemanner to keep from exceeding design limits relating to the propellerrpm, maximum generator current output, the load, and the state of chargeof the storage batteries (where such batteries are used). Also, themaximum permissable battery bank charging current or load current mustbe observed in widely varying wind conditions.

Insofar as maintenance is concerned, the greater the reduction ofmaintenance, the more usable a wind powered generating system becomes.It is desirable to have a design which will allow totally unattendedoperation for long periods of time such as weeks or months, and in someinstances even years.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a wind powered generator mechanicalarrangement and control. The generator comprises a propeller having adirectly coupled rotating field comprising permanent magnets mounted ina rotating housing. The stationary armature in turn is supported on asuitable tower support and is mounted to permit it to rotate about avertical axis to permit the propeller to be properly oriented withrespect to the direction of the wind. On the opposite side of thevertical mounting axis from the propeller a suitable control andcounterweight arm is mounted providing a balanced support for thegenerator. A vane or tail is mounted for pivotal movement about avertical axis relative to the counterweight arm, and its angle relativeto the counterweight arm and relative to the axis of rotation of thepropeller can be varied in response to certain parameters that are beingsensed.

The vane controls the position of the propeller axis relative to thewind and thus may prevent excessive current from being generated;prevent overspeed; prevent overcharging storage batteries, if such arebeing used, and prevent the unit from providing excessive chargingcurrents.

The use of a rotating field and a stationary armature, particularly inconnection with a permanent magnetic field, precludes the need forhaving slip rings between the relatively rotating portions of thegenerator for excitation or for transferring the generated current fromthe generator. While slip rings and brushes are needed for transferringthe generated current across the rotating joint of the entire head(about the vertical axis), the amount of rotation is limited and relatesonly to changes in position of the propeller that might be occasioned byadjusting the vane or tail as will be explained, and also the rotationof the head which might be occasioned by changing of wind direction.Thus the slip rings do not have to rotate continuously at relativelyhigh speeds, and the problems normally associated with slip rings arethus greatly reduced.

The adjusting vane is controlled through a motor which is powered inresponse to signals indicating the state of selected conditions.

Various safe guards are included in the arrangement including dynamicbraking to impose a load on the generator for safety purposes, and amechanical brake to stop rotation if necessary. The unit is designed toeliminate unnecessary short term adjustments of the vane by providingsuitable time delay circuits, so that only smooth non-oscillatoryoperation results.

The device may be mounted on a suitable high tower, and can havepropeller diameters ranging from about two feet to about 50 feet. Theenergy storage can be in batteries, heat storage, hydrogen gas,compressed air or other means of utilizing AC or DC electrical energysuch as direct connection to a utility line. The voltage range of coursecan be as desired.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side view of a typical wind generator towershowing a wind generating apparatus made according to the presentinvention installed thereon;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken as on line 3--3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of the wind power generatingapparatus of the present invention showing schematically certain of theinterlocks for controlling the device in an alternating currentgenerating system;

FIG. 5 is a schematic representation similar to FIG. 4 except in adirect current generating system;

FIG. 6 is a more detailed block diagram of the tail motor control moduleshowing the various functions of such module;

FIG. 7 is a schematic detail of a switch arrangement for a tail controlmotor used with the device of the present invention; and

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a typical system control module used andrepresented in FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a modified arrangement for the drive used to changethe angle of the vane assembly relative to the mounting frame.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A generating apparatus made according to the present inventionillustrated generally at 10, and comprises a generator assemblyillustrated generally at 11, that is mounted through a bracket assemblyillustrated at 12 to a rotating tube member 13, that is mounted in asuitable pair of vertically spaced bearings illustrated at 14A and 14,and is free to rotate with respect to a tower or support assembly 15.The tower 15 may be a free standing tower that is supported on theground, or it can be a stub tower mounted on the top of the building.The tower height is selected to achieve the maximum utilization of thewind that is available and can be of any desired construction. It shouldbe noted that the bracket 12 is mounted to the top of the tower througha bearing 14A which carries thrust as well as radial loads, and thelower bearing 14 is a radial bearing that guides the tube 13 for freerotation about a generally upright axis.

The generator assembly is shown partly in section in FIG. 2, and asshown has a rotating field made up of permanent magnets 21. The rotatingfield magnets 21 are attached to and mounted on the interior of acylindrical housing 20. The housing 20 has end plates 22 and 23, whichin turn are rotatably mounted through suitable bearings 24 with respectto an armature shaft 25. The armature shaft 25 in turn is fixedlymounted into a hub 26. The hub 26 forms part of the bracket 12, at theupper end thereof, and the bracket 12 is suitably fixed to the rotatingvertical tube 13.

The armature shaft 25 supports a fixed or non-rotating armature 27 thatis held within the rotating housing 20. The armature is suitably woundin a known manner for providing the desired type of power (three phaseetc.). Preferably, three phase power will be generated. The number offield magnets and the positioning of the magnets will be arranged toprovide the desired frequency and phase relationship of the outputpower. Because the armature is non-rotating relative to bracket 12 andtube 13, the lead wires from the armature windings can pass through asuitable passageway in the shaft 25, and then down through the bracket12 and into the tube 13. The tube 13, as stated, does rotate under winddirection changes and the like, and thus a slip ring connection 30 isnecessary to carry power to the tower and fixed structure. This slipring assembly 30 can be a conventional design because the only rotationis relatively infrequent and slow speed movement of the generatorassembly about its upright axis due to changes in the wind or the angleof the blade with respect to the wind.

A propeller 28 is mounted to a suitable hub on the end plate 23 oppositefrom the bracket hub 26. The propeller size and shape may be selected tosuit the existing conditions. The wind acting on propeller 28 causesrotation of the housing 20 and field magnets 21.

The bracket 12 also supports a counterweight balance arm indicated at31. The axis of the balance arm is centered on the axis of the shaft 25and extends outwardly from the bracket 12 on the opposite side of thevertical pivot axis of tube 13 from the generator assembly. Thecounterbalance arm 31, as shown perhaps best in FIG. 3 has a crosssection that forms a track. A slot indicated at 32 is provided in thelower wall thereof. A carriage 33 is mounted inside the track or arm 31.The carriage is mounted on suitable wheels 34 or on slide bearings. Thecarriage has an attached carriage arm 35 which extends through the slot32 to the exterior of the arm 31. The arm 35 as shown in FIG. 3 extendslaterally from the counterbalance arm 31. The carriage arm 35 has aportion extending along side the counterbalance arm 31 and an uprightpin 36 is mounted to the outer end of arm 35.

The movement of the carriage 33 along the counterbalance arm 31 iscontrolled through the use of a threaded rod 37 which is rotatablymounted in a suitable bearing adjacent the sleeve 26, and is threadablymounted through a threaded interior opening in the carriage 33. Theopposite end of the threaded rod or screw 37 is drivably connected tothe output shaft of a three phase, fractional horsepower motor indicatedgenerally at 40 that in turn is suitably mounted to the outer end of thecounterbalance arm 31. The three phase motor 40 is driven in selecteddirection (by reversing two leads) to cause the carriage to movelongitudinally along the counterbalance arm at desired time. A suitableweight may be placed at the outer end of the counterbalance arm, (whichcould include the weight of the motor 40, plus additional weights thatare necessary) to counterbalance the weight of the generator assemblyabout the axis of the pivot tube 13. The propeller 28 is a fixed pitchpropeller, and is not a variable pitch propeller. Variable pitchpropellers are relatively hard to control and require a good deal ofpower to control and also the controls require a good deal of mechanism.Complex mechanism always leads to more maintenance and thus eliminationof the need for variable pitch simplifies the structure and tends toreduce required maintenance.

To control output of the fixed propeller, the relative position of therotational axis of the propeller is controlled. The rotational axiscoincides with the longitudinal axis of the counterbalance 31. Therelative wind position is controlled by a vane or tail assemblyindicated generally at 50A. The tail assembly including a frame 50 ispivotally mounted as at 51 about an upright axis to a bracket 52attached to the mounting bracket 12. The tail assembly 50A as shown is alightweight frame that extends outwardly from this pivot. A tail plateor vane 53 is mounted at the outer end of the tail frame 50, and ofcourse has a large enough surface area so that as the wind blows it willtend to cause the tail frame 50 to align with the direction of the wind.For example, as shown in FIG. 2 the wind is indicated by the arrow 54.

The position of the tail frame 50 about the pivot 51 and thereforerelative to the counterbalance arm 31 is controlled by the carriage 33and motor 40. The pin 36 on arm 35 as shown has a link 55 pivotallymounted thereto, and the link is also pivotally mounted as at 56 to abracket 57 mounted on the tail frame 50. As the carriage 33 is movedalong the arm 31 by operation of motor 40 and screw 37, it can be seenthat the tail frame 50 will be caused to pivot outwardly from (ortoward) the counterbalance arm and therefore the relationship of theaxis of rotation of the propeller 28 with respect to the wind directionwill change. The wind will tend to align the tail vane 53 parallel tothe direction of the wind in a normal manner.

As will be understood, by proper sensors and control, efficientutilization of the energy developed by the wind will be possible, andfurther, overcharging, excessive current generation, excessive speed andother parameters may be controlled.

The driving of the carriage along the arm which forms a track for thecarriage will usually be done under power generated by the generator 11.To prevent overtravel of the carriage in either direction, suitablelimit switches are utilized and these are shown schematically at 60 and61 in the drawings. The limit switches are placed inside the arm 31 in aposition to be contacted by the carriage 33 when the carriage hasreached its desired extent of travel along the counterbalance arm.

It should also be noted that a sealing strip can be used along the slot32 in arm 31. The sealing strip may fit tightly around the arm 35, andyields to permit the arm to move. The seal would have resilient lipsthat would close together to keep foreign material out of the track.

Referring to FIG. 4 in particular, a system schematic diagram isdisplayed for an alternating current supplementary system. The rotatinghousing 20 is illustrated, and also the magnets 21 are illustrated inthe rotating housing only schematically. The armature 27 is shown inplace, and the counterbalance arm 31 and related elements are also shownfor orientation purposes.

The armature 27 is wired to provide a three phase generator, andincludes a first phase winding 62, a second phase winding 63, and athird phase winding 64 shown schematically. The electrical output isprovided along the lines 62A, 63A and 64A, respectively. The line 62Aextends to the tail control motor 40, and energizes one windingindicated at 40A of this three phase motor in the form of the inventionshown. Note that as shown, the generator is connected in a standarddelta connection, while the motor is a Y connection motor. In itssimpliest form the lines 62A, 63A and 64A are connected to tail controlcircuits 65 and also to the load control circuits 66. Systems controlsindicated at 67 are also connected to the tail controls.

The tail control circuits are shown only as a block diagram in FIG. 4,but include suitable relays and other controls to provide power fromlines 63A and 64A to properly connect the lines to additional lines 69Band 69C, which in turn are connected to windings 40B and 40C,respectively. The limit switch and reversing connections are not shownin FIG. 4 for purposes of clarity. As will be explained the connectionof lines 69B and 69C is such that the proper direction of rotation ofthe motor 40 is achieved to provide the control necessary.

Additionally, a vibration sensor shown generally at 72 can be providedon the counterbalance arm 31, and is connected by suitable lines 73 tothe tail control circuits. This vibration sensor would be utilized toclose down the system if it starts to shake apart, or to adjust the tailmotor to minimize vibrations.

A current transformer indicated generally at 74 is provided on line 64A,and a current transformer 75 is provided on line 62A. These currenttransformers are utilized to sense the amount of current being generatedby the generator and used for controls. The lines 62A, 63A and 64A mayhave suitable fuses shown at 76 therein as well. The tail controlcircuit has inputs such as condition responsive sensors indicatedgenerally at 78, in FIG. 4. The tail control circuits include variouscomponents to sense the conditions that are provided by the currenttransformers and the input condition sensors 78.

One of the features of the present invention is that the generator maybe dynamically braked by placing a large resistor into the outputcircuit of the generator. In order to have such dynamic braking a largeresistor 80 is provided and it is controlled from the tail controlcircuit through suitable relays as will be more fully explained.

Additionally, after dynamic braking has taken place, that is brakingwhich will tend to load the generator and slow the rotation of therotating housing, a spring loaded, normally applied mechanical brakeillustrated schematically at 82 is provided. The brake can take adesired form, such as a band or block which engages the rotatinghousing, and the brake can be controlled by a solenoid 83 which maynormally be energized to hold the brake released. Automatic controls andsensors may open contacts 118A to deenergize the brake solenoid whenconditions sensed indicate a shut down is desired, but as shown a manualswitch may also be used.

The system control circuitry includes sensors to provide for connectionto auxiliary loads if excessive current or voltage is being generated.Further, a tail motor control feedback signal may be provided to tend toreturn the vane to position to obtain maximum output. A first auxiliaryload 85 or a second auxiliary load 86 may be used to store or utilizeelectrical energy being generated.

Additionally, display monitors (meters) can be provided to indicateconditions. These may include lights or meters to show frequency,current, voltage and the like.

The output of the generator acting through the utility interface module65 can provide power directly to a three phase utility line as indicatedgenerally at 88, or if desired to a single phase utility line indicatedgenerally at 89. The interface connections are identical to existingequipment, which will tie in auxiliary generators from a power plantwhen needed.

The components used for sensing current and the like also are ofconventional design. The relays for sensing load conditions andconnecting the auxiliary loads to the system also are conventional. Thecontrols operate with logic level signals with very low currentconsumption and may drive suitable amplifiers to carry out switching.

Referring to FIG. 5, a system diagram is provided for the wind generatorof the present invention used with a direct current load such as abattery bank that has to be charged. The generator components aresubstantially the same as shown in FIG. 4, except that a rectificationcircuit indicated generally at 90 is provided at the output lines 62A,63A, and 64A, and the DC output is provided along lines 90A and 90B. Thelines 90A and 90B are connected to a battery bank 92 (or a DC load ofsome type). The current in line 90A may be sensed with a current sensor91, and the current signal provides a control signal to the tail controlcircuit. The current sensor 91 of course is a DC current sensor.Further, the battery voltage can be sensed across lines 93, which areconnected to lines 90A and 90B. The battery voltage signal can beprovided to the tail control circuit as well. The other components arethe same and are numbered alike in FIGS. 4 and 5.

In FIG. 6, the schematic diagram of the tail motor control circuitry isshown. The inputs include inputs that relate to both AC and DC systems,but only the appropriate sensor would be used with each system.

With modern solid state circuitry, logic level signals can be providedwith relatively little current flow through sensors. The battery voltagesensor 95 used with a DC system for example can be combined with a timedelay 95A and comparator 95B. The comparator then compares the actualsensed voltage of the battery with respect to a reference from astabilized power supply 94. The comparator provides a logic level "one"signal along line 96 when the battery voltage is lower than desired.This signal is provided to a first input of a NOR gate 97. If thebattery voltage is higher than the reference, a logic level high signalis provided along a line 98, to one input of a multiple input OR gate99. The power supply may be a battery if desired. The control componentsare generally mounted on the ground and the necessary signals arecarried across slip rings in assembly 30.

A generator current sensor 102 utilizes the current sensed by one of thecurrent transformers shown in FIG. 4 for example, and incorporates arectifier 102A and comparator 102B. The sensed current may also bereduced in voltage through a transformer before rectification. The ACcurrent is rectified, and then compared with a reference from the powersupply 94 and if the generator current is above a desired level, a logiclevel "one" or high signal is provided along a line 103 to a secondinput of the OR gate 99. The circuit also may have a time delay as mayall of the sensors to prevent chatter or oscillation from instantaneouscurrent or voltage surges.

An rpm sensor 104 such as a standard frequency sensing tachometercircuit is used to sense the alternating current output frequency of thegenerator. The sensor includes a comparator so that if the frequency ofthe signal from the tachometer is higher than the desired rpm, a highlogic level signal would be provided along the line 105 to another inputof the OR gate 99.

Vibration sensor 72 is designed to provide a suitable signal if theamplitude of vibration is greater than a desired level. This "excessivevibration" output is provided along a line 106 to energize a relay 106Athrough a suitable relay driver. The relay 106A controls contacts 106B.

An "overspeed" fail-safe alternating current relay indicated generallyat 110 can also be utilized to provide an input control signal. Theoutput frequency of the generator may be sensed from lines 63A and 64Aby a suitable capacitor 110A connected to the diode bridge 110B alsoconnected to line 63A and 64A. Suitable resistors 110C and 110D areconnected across the diode bridge and lines 63A and 64A. If thegenerator overspeeds, the diode bridge provides an output that energizesa relay 112 which operates contacts 112A, 112B and 112C to initiatedynamic braking and suitable alarm circuits if desired, and also todisable the motor 40 as will be explained. Closing contacts 112A willenergize a relay 113 which controls contacts 113A shown in FIGS. 4 and 5to close the contacts and to thereby connect the dynamic brake resistor80 into the load to slow down the generator unit. The contacts 106B alsoenergizes relay 113 to connect the dynamic brake resistor to thegenerator output if the vibration becomes excessive. The relay 113 maybe connected through a series resistor and capacitor as shown to ground.

Power supply 94 or a separate power supply or battery may provide avoltage (indicated by plus signs on lines) for energizing the relays.Relay 113 for example is connected to a line 113B carrying power torelay 113. When either contacts 106B or 112A close, the relay circuit isgrounded and relay 113 energized. This also energizes a relay 111 whichlocks on relay 113 by closing contacts 111A. Normal reset is necessaryto drop out the relay 111.

When the contacts 106B or 112A are closed an indicator light 116 will beenergized to show that something has gone wrong, and also an alarm bell117 may be activated for example. A relay 118 is manually operated by aswitch 118B to open contacts 118A leading to the brake solenoid and tothereby deenergize the brake solenoid. The contacts 118A are normallyclosed and whenever the control power is on the manual brake solenoid isenergized to release the brake. The manual brake is thus a fail-safedevice.

In a direct current system such as shown in FIG. 3, battery current issensed with sensor 91 (such as a meter relay). The sensor 91 is alsoconnected to a time delay and to a comparator 124. When the batteriesare being charged an indicator light 122 will light. If the chargingrate is greater than desired, the comparator provides a high logic levelsignal along a line 125 to a further input of the OR gate 99. If thebatteries are discharging a level logic level "one" signal may beprovided on line 123 to one input of NOR gate 97. A discharge indicatorlamp 126 also can be provided for connection to the output of thecurrent sensor to indicate discharging condition for the batteries.

When either of the inputs to the NOR gate 97 for example are "one",either because of a low battery voltage, or because of a battery currentsensor being low, the output along a line 131 will be low and this isfed into one input of a second NOR gate 132. The NOR gate will provide ahigh output signal only when both of its inputs are low. When bothinputs are low the output of NOR gate 132 will act to energize a relay134 through line 113B and a relay drive circuit 134D. The relay 134operates reversing contacts 134A and 134B shown in FIG. 7 to controldirection of rotation of the tail control motor to increase theinterceptance of the unit with the wind when the relay 134 is energized.The driver 134D includes a pulse stretcher circuit (a three second latchfor example) and a transistor that conducts to ground when the basereceives the pulse from gate 132. The relay 133 which controls contacts133A and 133B (see FIG. 7) is controlled by a relay driver 133D. Thepulse from the pulse stretcher circuit of driver 134D is connectedthrough a diode to the base of the transistor in the driver circuit133D. Thus the pulse relay 134 also actuates relay 133, closing contacts133A and 133B and the motor 40 is energized. The screw is then driven todrive the carriage 33 away from the generator housing, which swings thevane 53 toward the arm 31 to increase the interceptance of the propellerinto the wind.

In order to prevent instantaneous operation of the tail control motoreach time an output from a sensor is received, and thus to avoid jerky,multiple corrections which waste power, time averaging is utilized andthe interception of the propeller with the wind is not increased unlessfor a selected time no signals requiring or calling for decrease ofinterception have been received. To accomplish the averaging the otherinput of the NOR gate 132 other than from NOR gate 97 is along a line135 which normally carries a low (0) signal to the gate 132. The line135 carries a high ("one") signal as an output of a thirty minuteaveraging timer 136. If the output of OR gate 99 has been "high" duringa selected preceding time period. The time period of timer 136 may beadjusted to suit the desired operation. The timer is made to smooth outinstantaneous pulses that may occur, so that a signal to initiate thetail control motor to drive in direction to increase wind interceptancewill not be provided until it is determined that no signal from OR gate99 had existed for a desired length of time. The input of the timer 136is on the output line 137 of the OR gate 99. Thus if the OR gate 99provides an output the timer will be energized and the inhibit signalwill not permit a increasing wind interceptance until no signal has beenpresent for a desired length of time. The relay driver 133D is energizedby the pulses from OR gate 99 to decrease wind interceptance. The driver133D includes a pulse stretcher circuit and transistor as well. Thedecrease relay 133 will be powered from anyone of the high signal inputsto OR gate 99.

It should also be noted that the relay 133 will be energized directlythrough line 113B and contacts 112C when an overspeed occurs whichenergizes relays 112. Thus for safety the wind interceptance will bedecreased to effectively shut the generator down.

In FIG. 7, the schematic representation of the reversing circuit and thecontacts used for controlling a tail control motor are illustrated. Thetail control motor 40 has its windings connected across a reversing setof contacts controlled by relay 134. These contacts are shown at 134A(normally closed), and 134B (normally open). With relay 134 energized,the rotation of the tail control motor 40 is to increase windinterception. The limit switches are also shown in circuit schematicallyin FIG. 7 and are numbered the same as the other figures.

The relay 133 controls the actual power contacts indicated at 133A and133B in FIG. 7 as well. These contacts are in lines 64A and 63A whichconnect to lines 69B and 69C. The third phase line of the tail controlmotor is always connected to one phase lead (62A) of the generator.

The system control circuitry is used to detect load from power lines 68(in the AC form) and on lines 93A in the DC system and to connect thepower lines to auxiliary loads, as well as to determine if the generatoris operating at maximum output in relation to the wind. Because thesecontrols are conventional they are shown schematically. A batteryvoltage sensor signal (in the DC system) for example, from sensor 95 isfed through a suitable time delay to a comparator 95D. Also generatorcurrent sensor 102 may provide a time delayed, rectified signal to acomparator 102D. These signals may be properly weighted in relation toone or more reference voltages provided to the comparators. There may beseveral reference inputs with different outputs to indicate differentlevels of generator output or battery voltage. The outputs of thecomparators 102D and 95D are provided to a logic circuit 150.

An electric ammeter or wind velocity sensor 151 also is used andprovides outputs in digital form to the logic circuit 150. The ammeteris mounted on or adjacent the tower for the generator. The logic isprogrammed to evaluate the wind velocity signal in relation to batteryvoltage and generator output, and if the battery voltage is low and thegenerator output is not at a desired level for a given wind velocity asignal comprising a system feedback signal on line 84 may be used toinitiate a drive signal for the tail control motor. Such signal line maybe connected to one input of an AND gate 160 which has a second input,an inverting input, connected to line 135 through a line 135A. If thesignal on line 135 is low the connected input of AND gate 160 will behigh. With a high signal on line 84 the AND gate output will be providedto driver 134D to increase the wind interceptance, unless other signalsfrom OR gate 99 inhibited AND gate 160.

The output of logic circuit 150 on a line 152 may be used to energize arelay drive circuit 153 and energize a relay 154 to close contacts 154Aand connect auxiliary load 85 to the output lines 68 (or 90A and 90B).After a suitable time delay or from another signal suitable relays 155may be energized to close contacts 155A to connect auxiliary load 86into the circuit. The relay drive 153 may also be energized by loadsensors 158. The adding of auxiliary loads by logic 150 may beprogrammed as a result of a determination that the wind velocity sensedis great enough to provide more output than needed by the existingloads.

Suitable meters 161, such as ammeters, volt meters or frequency meters(AC only) also are connected to the generator output lines in the systemcontrol circuit.

The circuits used may all have time delays built in to smooth outoperation.

As an additional safety feature, the power supply 94, or any batteryused for power to the controls may be monitored and if failure occursthe alarm circuit will be activated and also contacts such as contacts112C may be separately closed to decrease interception to a minimum andprevent uncontrolled operation.

Multiple generators may be used as sequential add on units to operate inparallel as load is added. The controls disclosed inherently regulatethe output of each generator to prevent damage from overspeed, over loadand the like, and the control of wind interceptance by motor 40 providesa control to equalize the output from each of a plurality of generatorassemblies.

In FIGS. 9 and 10, a modified arrangement for the drive used to changethe angle of the vane assembly relative to the mounting frame is shown.The frame member 31 is made as previously described, except it can be aclosed tube with no slot in the bottom. The frame 50 for the vaneassembly is pivotally mounted to the bracket 26 as previously shown. Therotating housing 20 and the propeller 28 are previously described aswell.

The frame 31 has a pin 200 rotatably mounted about an upright axis atthe outer end thereof. The pin 200 in turn has a bracket 201 which ismounted onto the outer housing of the motor 40. The bracket 201 and pin200 permit the motor 40 to pivot about a vertical axis relative to frame31, while supporting the motor adequately for operation. The outputshaft 202 of the motor 40 is drivably connected to the outer end of athreaded rod 205, which is mounted in a suitable bearing 203 and isthereby guided into a tube 204. The tube and threaded rod take the placeof the link 55 in the previous form of the invention. The end of tube204 adjacent frame 50 is closed (sealed) and has a connector 207pivotally mounted to frame 50. The tube 204 is sealed at its outer endby bearing 203. The threaded rod 205 is threaded through a block 206fixedly mounted at a suitable location inside the tube 204. Uponrotation of the shaft 202 when the motor 40 is driven, the rod will bethreaded relative to the block and the length of the overall linkassembly, including the tube 204 and the exposed end of the rod 205 canbe changed to cause the angle of the tail frame 50 to change about itspivotal mounting relative to frame 50 and the generator assembly. Theuse of a tube which is sealed at its outer end, with a rotating threadedrod in the inside for adjusting the angle of the tail provides a longlife with minimum maintenance. With a sealed bearing closing up thetube, (the opposite end of the tube is also closed) very little chanceof any foreign material causing problems exists.

The mechanical action is substantially identical in each case. Pivotingof the tail vane is controlled by operating a mechanism that changes theangle of the pivoting tail vane about its axis of pivot relative to thefixed frame member.

The threaded rod can be permanently lubricated inside of the tube sothat there is no need for external lubrication fittings or the like.

It should be noted that limit switches 60 and 61 are relocated as shownschematically in FIG. 9 to sense the actual position of the vane. Thelimit switches serve the same function as previously described.

In addition, the basic generator and counterbalance arm with theswinging vane may be strictly manually operated by a mechanical linkagefrom the ground. Carriage 33 can be spring loaded toward the generatorto tend to decrease wind interception, and a cable and pulleyarrangement may be operable to manually pull the carriage away from thegenerator along the balance arm to permit increase of wind interception.The cable control may be operated from the ground through a winch orlever arrangement. The manual control would be analogous to the waterpumping windmill controls used in the past. A swivel in the controlcable may be used to accommodate rotation of the generator about itsupright axis.

The motor 40, the dynamic and mechanical brakes and other relays usedmay all be manually controlled from the ground by paralleling in manualswitches to operate relays, such as relays 133 and 134, or by directmanual switches. Where necessary, the switches would be connected acrossslip rings to the ground operator's station. The motor 40 may a DC motorif desired.

The automatic controls disclosed permit extended unattended operation.The alarm circuits may be optional, and also the conditions may bemonitored from a remote location. For example, the alarm signals mayactuate an emergency radio transmitter, or the alarm signals may becarried on transmission lines.

Adding auxiliary load control also may be optional, as is thepossibility of connecting more than one generator in parallel forincreasing potential maximum output from one location. It should benoted that one generator may act as a lead unit with others picking upload sequentially as needed, or a plurality of generators may operatesimultaneously, to satisfy the load demands. Load equalization isachieved by changing the wind interceptance.

The comparators illustrated are preferably operational amplifiers.Integrators may be used to amplify various sensor signals prior to inputto the respective comparator amplifiers.

What is claimed is:
 1. A wind powered generating system for producingelectric power comprising a generator assembly having a rotatableportion and producing an electrical output, means to mount saidgenerator assembly about a generally vertical rotational axis, means toprovide wind powered rotation of said rotatable portion of saidgenerator assembly, and a tail control assembly mounted to saidgenerator assembly including a frame and a wind oriented vane adjustablymounted relative to said frame for changing the orientation of the axisof rotation of the rotatable portion relative to the wind directioncomprising means to pivotally mount said vane relative to said framegenerally about an upright axis, and means between said frame and vaneto control the angle of said vane about said upright axis relative tosaid frame comprising a motor mounted on said frame, a link coupled tosaid vane at location spaced from the upright axis, drive means couplingsaid motor to said link to control said link to cause the vane to pivotabout the upright axis and means to selectively power said motor as afunction of a measured condition including means to connect the motor tobe powered by said electrical output.
 2. The combination as specified inclaim 1 wherein said means to provide wind powered rotation of saidrotatable portion of said generator assembly comprises a fixed pitchpropeller means.
 3. The combination as specified in claim 1 wherein saidrotatable portion of said generator assembly comprises a rotating fieldfor the generator, an armature comprising part of said generatorassembly being restrained from rotation about the axis of rotation ofsaid rotating field, whereby leads from said armature are directlyconnected to portions of said means to support said generator assemblywithout need for slip rings.
 4. The combination of claim 3 wherein saidrotating field comprises a plurality of permanent magnets mounted onsaid rotating portion.
 5. A wind powered generating system for producingelectric power comprising a generator assembly having a rotatableportion and producing an electrical generator output, means to mountsaid generator assembly for movement about a first generally verticalaxis, propeller means to provide wind powered rotation of said rotatableportion of said generator assembly about a second axis, a tail controlassembly mounted to said generator assembly including a frame and a windoriented vane means adjustably mounted relative to said frame forchanging the orientation of the axis of rotation of the rotatableportion relative to the wind direction comprising means to pivotallymount said vane means relative to said frame generally about an uprightaxis, and means between said frame and vane means to control the angleof said vane means about said upright axis relative to said frameincluding a link and a drive motor operable to change the effectivelength of the link and change the pivotal relation of the vane meansrelative to the frame, means to sense conditions variable as a functionof the electrical generator output of said generator assembly and todrive said drive motor in response to such sensed condition.
 6. Thecombination as specified in claim 5 and limit switch means to limit thetravel of said vane means about its pivot.
 7. A wind powered generatingsystem for producing electric power comprising a generator assemblyhaving a rotatable portion and producing an electrical generator output,means to mount said generator assembly for movement about a firstgenerally vertical axis, propeller means to provide wind poweredrotation of said rotatable portion of said generator assembly about asecond axis, a tail control assembly mounted to said generator assemblyincluding a frame and a wind oriented vane means adjustably mountedrelative to said frame for changing the orientation of the axis ofrotation of the rotatable portion relative to the wind directioncomprising means to pivotally mount said vane means relative to saidframe generally about an upright axis, and means between said frame andvane means to control the angle of said vane means about said uprightaxis relative to said frame including an electric motor powered from theelectrical output generated by said generator assembly, and controlmeans for said motor including means to sense current in the electricalgenerator output and to change the orientation of said vane means aboutits upright axis to change the angle of the propeller with respect tothe wind direction in response to signals from said means to sensecurrent.
 8. The combination as specified in claim 7 including means toreversibly drive said electric motor, means to sense the velocity of thewind adjacent said generator assembly and provide a signal indicative ofthe wind velocity, means to correlate the wind velocity to generatoroutput and to provide a feedback signal tending to drive said motor toincrease interceptance of the propeller with the wind to increasepropeller speed if the generator output is not at greater than a desiredrelation to wind velocity.
 9. The combination of claim 8 and means toprovide a second control signal indicating that generator output shouldnot be increased, and means to prevent the feedback signal fromoperating said electric motor to increase interceptance of the propellerrelative to the wind for a selected time after receipt of said secondcontrol signal.
 10. The apparatus of claim 8 and auxiliary load means,means to connect the auxiliary load means to receive the generatoroutput in response to sensed parameters.
 11. A wind powered electricalgenerating system comprising a generator assembly producing anelectrical output, means to mount said generator assembly in position tointercept the wind, said generator assembly having nonrotatable portionsincluding an armature nonrotatably mounted on said means to mount, ahousing rotatably mounted directly on said means to mount about acentral axis relative to and radially outwardly of said armature, saidhousing having supports spaced along the axis and independentlyrotatably mounted on the means to mount, means carried by said housingradially outward of the armature which interacts with the armature toprovide for generation of an electrical output from the armature uponrotation of the housing, propeller means connected to said housing toprovide wind powered rotation of said housing relative to the armatureto produce an electrical output.
 12. The system of claim 11 wherein themeans carried by said housing interacts with the armature withoutsliding electrical connections to nonrotatable portions of the generatorassembly.
 13. A wind powered generator apparatus having an outputcircuit for providing output power from a rotating element comprisingmeans to support said apparatus in position to be engaged by the wind, awind sensitive element connected to the rotating element, said windsensitive element having an axis of rotation under wind power, and meansto adjust the interception of said axis of rotation of said windsensitive element relative to the wind direction comprising a supportmember, wind vane means pivotally mounted about a generally upright axisto said support member, and means to adjust the position of said vanemeans about the upright axis comprising an adjustable linkage, means toconnect said linkage between said support member and said wind vanemeans, and control means operable to adjust said linkage including meanssensing variable parameters in the output circuit and means responsiveto variations in the parameters to change the angle of said wind vanemeans about its pivotal axis to adjust the output power to a desiredlevel.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said control means includesa reversible electric motor and means driven by said motor controllingthe adjustment of said linkage.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 and sensormeans to sense the status of monitored parameters relating to generationof power by said apparatus, said control means including means tocontrol direction of rotation of said motor means in response to signalsfrom said sensor means.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15 includingadditional sensor means to sense unsafe conditions, and braking meansfor said rotating element operable in response to a signal from saidadditional sensor means.
 17. The combination as specified in claim 13,and vibration sensor means mounted on said wind powered generatorapparatus and means coupled to the vibration sensor means to provide asignal operable to reduce the speed of said rotating element.
 18. Theapparatus of claim 13, and sensing means to sense at least one of theparameters comprising the speed of said rotating element, the voltage ofan electrical device associated with said wind powered apparatus, andthe current in an electrical device associated with said wind poweredapparatus, and to control the performance of said rotating element inresponse to signals from at least one parameter of the recited sensingmeans.
 19. A wind powered electrical generating system comprising agenerator assembly producing an electrical output, means to mount saidgenerator assembly in position to intercept the wind, said generatorassembly including an armature and a field, a central supportnonrotatably mounted on said means to mount, said armature beingnonrotatably mounted relative to said central support, a housingrotatably mounted relative to, surrounding and radially outwardly ofsaid armature, permanent magnet means mounted on said housing adjacentand radially outwardly of the armature comprising a generator field,said housing having an outer shell and end plate means at opposite endsthereof, bearing means between each end plate means and the centralsupport to effect the rotatable mounting of the housing, and meansconnected to one of said end plate means to provide wind poweredrotation of said housing relative to the armature to produce anelectrical output.
 20. The combination of claim 19 including anelongated frame mounted to said generator assembly and extending indirection opposite from said means to provide wind powered rotation, andmeans forming a counterweight on said elongated frame to substantiallybalance the weight of said generator assembly about said vertical axis.21. The combination of claim 19 wherein said means to provide windpowered rotation comprises a fixed pitch propeller rotatable about anaxis, and means to control the angle of the axis of said propellerrelative to the wind direction.
 22. The combination of claim 21 whereinthe means to control the angle of the axis of said propeller comprisessensor means to sense electrical parameters which are a function of saidelectrical output.
 23. The combination of claim 22 wherein said means tomount comprises means to permit rotation of said generator assemblyabout an upright axis, and wherein said means to control includes a windvane adjustably mounted for movement relative to the generator assemblyto cause desired orientation of the generator assembly about saidupright axis relative to wind direction.
 24. The combination of claim 23and means to adjust said wind vane relative to the generator assemblyincluding an electric motor powered from the electric output of saidgenerator assembly.
 25. The apparatus of claim 19 and load means, meansto selectively connect and disconnect the load means relative to theelectrical output of the generator assembly in response to sensedconditions.
 26. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the load meanscomprise transmission lines.
 27. A wind powered generator apparatushaving an output for providing output power from a rotating elementcomprising means to support said apparatus in position to be engaged bythe wind, a wind sensitive element connected to the rotating element,said wind sensitive element having an axis of rotation under wind power,and means to adjust the interception of said axis of rotation of saidwind sensitive element relative to the wind direction comprising asupport member, wind vane means pivotally mounted about a generallyupright axis to said support member, and means to adjust the position ofsaid vane means about the upright axis comprising an adjustable linkage,means to connect said linkage between said support member and said windvane means including a reversible electric motor, means driven by saidmotor controlling the adjustment of said linkage to change the angle ofsaid vane means about its upright pivotal axis, means connecting saidgenerator apparatus output to said motor to permit powering said motorfrom the output of said generator, and control means to control thepowering of said motor.